—  RESEARCH  —

My research program is focused on using behavioral and experimental economics to better understand consumer decision-making. The primary goal of my research is to produce knowledge concerning contemporary issues at the nexus of consumption and production. Researching these topics allows me to provide timely information to stakeholders about current and future challenges.

I am currently working on several funded projects:
Understanding Nutrition through Machine Vision
o Multidisciplinary grant funded by USDA - $600,000

Investigating Market Opportunities for Novel Hemp-Based Products
o Multi-institutional/Multidisciplinary grant funded by USDA - $313,591
o Partners: University of Arkansas, University of Guelph, University of Kentucky, University of Vermont

Pulse Electricity: A Non-Chemical Approach for the Management of Nematodes, Pathogens, and Weeds in Nurseries
o Multi-institutional/Multidisciplinary grant funded by USDA - $442,068
o Partners: Agricultural Research Service, Oregon State University, University of Arkansas

Sustainable Aquaculture Production of High Omega-3-Containing-Fish Using a Novel Feed Additive (Hemp)
o Multi-institutional/Multidisciplinary grant funded by USDA - $10 million
o Partners: Central State University, College of Menominee Nation, Kentucky State University, Mississippi State University, University of Arkansas, University of Kentucky

Hemp Marketing: Measuring Stated Demand and Preferences in an Emerging Market
o Multi-institutional grant funded by USDA - $248,686
o Partners: Auburn University, University of Arkansas, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky

Determining Antecedents to Consumer Acceptance of Scientific Information to Develop Educational Approaches on Gene-Editing Technologies
o Multi-institutional/Multidisciplinary grant funded by USDA - $464,766
o Partners: The Ohio State University, University of Arkansas, University of Florida

Previous funded projects:
Improving Crop Residue Burning and Management Recommendations in the Arkansas Delta Region
o Multi-institutional/Multidisciplinary grant funded by USDA - $571,940
o Partners: Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas, Miami University, UA Division of Agriculture, University of Delaware

Working with students is an essential piece of my research program, and I find fulfillment in helping students achieve their academic goals.

Here are some students I have worked closely with and their projects:
University of Arkansas M.S. Agricultural Economics:
Jillian Hyink – Jillian defended her thesis “Consumer Perceptions of Hemp-Fed Aquaculture” in the Summer of 2024.
Logan Moss – Logan defended his thesis “Consumer Willingness to Pay for Food Products Displaying a Black-owned Production Label” in the Summer of 2024.
Emily Schlichtig – Emily defended her thesis “Measurement Reliability for Intentions to Change Behavior” in the Summer of 2024. Sara Gardner – Sara defended her thesis “Beef and Dairy Substitution Effects Associated with Carbon Labeling and an Information Intervention” in the Summer of 2023.

University of Delaware M.S. Applied Economics & Statistics:
Caroline May – Caroline defended her thesis “Examining the Effect of Allowing an Escape Hatch in Question Scales Commonly Used in Social Sciences” in the Spring of 2022.
Ryan Bresnahan – Ryan defended his thesis “Exploring the Factors Associated with Crop Residue Burning in the Arkansas Delta Region” in the Spring of 2022. His work was published in Discover Sustainability.
Pius Kilasky – Pius defended his thesis “Effects of Information on Knowledge Gaps about Micronutrient Deficiencies and Biofortified Food in Tanzania” in the Fall of 2021. His work was published in Global Food Security.
Adam Pollack – Adam defended his thesis “The Impact of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard and Its Methods of Disclosure on Consumer Preferences for Gene-Edited and Genetically Modified Foods” in the Spring of 2021. Adam coauthored a paper published in Journal of Choice Modelling and GM Crops & Food.
Daniel Bass – Danny defended his thesis “Examining Bias Associated with Recycled Water and Tap Water” in the Spring of 2020. His work was published in Food Policy and Water Resources Research.

University of Florida M.S. Applied Economics & Statistics:
Zachary Neuhofer – Zack defended his thesis “Does the Revised Nutrition Facts Label Affect Sugary Beverage Consumption: An Eye-Tracking Application and Comparison to Beverage Taxes” in the Spring of 2019. He published this work in Food Quality and Preferences and Economics & Human Biology and Food Quality and Preference. Zack also co-authored a paper published in Obesity Science & Practice.
Emmanuel Domonko – Emmanuel defended his thesis Consumer Risk Perception of Vitamin A Deficiency and Acceptance of Biofortified Rice in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania” in the Spring of 2016. He published this work in the African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. Emmanuel also coauthored a paper published in the Farm Policy Journal.

University of Florida M.S. Animal Science:
Sarah Flowers – Sarah defended her thesis “Fatty Acid and Mineral Content of Beef and its Impact on Consumers' Willingness-to-Pay” in the Spring of 2018. She published this work in the Journal of Animal Science.

University of Florida B.S. Food & Resource Economics:
Brandon McKee – Brandon published “Floridians’ Propensity to Support ad Valorem Water Billing Increases to Protect Water Supply: A Panel Evaluation” in the Hydrological Sciences Journal. This work stemmed from his undergraduate honor thesis.

Visiting undergraduate students from École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse (ENSAT):
Lucie Guercia - Lucie visited UD during her gap year and worked on a research project using data from a grant. We hope to have this paper submitted to a journal in 2022.
Lucie Broussoux – Unfortunately, Lucie’s time at UD was cut short because of COVID-19.
Alice Dumoitier & Vincent Abbo – Alice and Vincent visited UF during their gap year and published the work from their internship in Obesity Science & Practice.

High School Students:
Eleanor Messer & Kabir Advani – Nora and Kabir created an infographic published in Choices.

Below is a list of my peer-reviewed publications with links:

2018

“Do Consumers Care How a Genetically Engineered Food was Created or Who Created It?”
Food Policy
with Jayson Lusk and Norbert Wilson

“How Will Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Nudge Consumer Decision-Making?”
Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics
with Trey Malone

“Consumer Risk Perception of Vitamin A Deficiency and Acceptance of Biofortified Rice in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania.”
African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
with Emmanuel Domonko, Fulgence Mishili, Conner Mullally, and Derek Farnsworth

“Engaging Consumers about the Nuances of Agricultural Technologies.”
Journal of Food and Distribution Research“Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations Based on Plant Sensing and Bayesian Updating.”
Precision Agriculture
with Wade Brorsen and William Raun

2017

“Consumer Acceptance of Food Biotechnology based on Policy Context and Upstream Acceptance.”
European Review of Agricultural Economics
with Ashkan Pakseresht and Carl Johan Lagerkvist

“Effects of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard: Willingness to Pay for Labels that Communicate the Presence or Absence of Genetic Modification.”
Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy
with Jayson Lusk

“The Unknowns and Possible Implications of Mandatory Labeling.”
Trends in Biotechnology

“Impact of Food Choice on Sodium Intake Patterns from Multiple NHANES Surveys.”
Appetite
with Zefeng Dong and Zhifeng Gao

2016

“Neural Activations Associated with Decision-Time and Choice in a Milk Labeling Experiment.”
American Journal of Agricultural Economics
with John Crespi, Jayson Lusk, Bradley Cherry, Laura Martini, and Amanda Bruce

“What Consumers Don't Know about GM Food and How that Affects Beliefs.”
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal
with Jayson Lusk

"Examining the Gap between Science and Public Opinion about Genetically Modified Food and Global Warming."
PLOS ONE

“Neural Antecedents of a Random Utility Model.”
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
with Jayson Lusk, John Crespi, Bradley Cherry, Laura Martin, and Amanda Bruce

“Another Perspective on Understanding Food Democracy.”
Choices
with Sprio Stefanou

2015

“Cognitive Biases in the Assimilation of Scientific Information on Global Warming and Genetically Modified Food.”
Food Policy
with Jayson Lusk

“Which Biotech Foods are Most Acceptable to the Public?”
Biotechnology Journal
with Jayson Lusk and Bradley Rickard

“Can Neural Activation in Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Predict Responsiveness to Information? An Application to Egg Production Systems and Campaign Advertising.”
PLOS ONE
with Jayson Lusk, John Crespi, Bradley Cherry, Laura Martin, Robin Aupperle, and Amanda Bruce

“An fMRI Investigation of Consumer Choice Regarding Controversial Food Technologies.”
Food Quality and Preference
with Jayson Lusk, John Crespi, Brandon McFadden, Laura Martin, and Amanda Bruce

“Are Consumers as Constrained as Hens are Confined? Brain Activations and Behavioral Choices after Informational Influence.”
Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization
with Alex Francisco, Amanda Bruce, John Crespi, Jayson Lusk, Jared Bruce, Robin Aupperle, and Seung-Lark Lim

“Biotechnology Applications for Consumers in Developing Areas and Consumer Acceptance.”
Farm Policy Journal
with Emmanuel Domonko and Conner Mullally

Publications while in grad school (2014 and before)

“Consumers’ Neural and Behavioral Response to Food Technologies and Price.”
Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics
with Amanda Bruce, Jayson Lusk, John Crespi, Bradley Cherry, Jared Bruce, Cary Savage, William Brooks, and Laura Martin

“Effects of Cost and Campaign Advertising on Support for California’s Proposition 37.”
Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
with Jayson Lusk

“How Greenhouse Gas Emission Policy and Industry Pressure Could Affect Producer Selection of Rice Cultivars.”
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review
with Lanier Nalley and Michael Popp

“Competing Risks Models of Farm Service Agency Seven-Year Direct Operating Loans.”
Agricultural Finance Review
with Bruce Dixon, Bruce Ahrendsen, Diana Danforth, Monica Foianini, and Sandra Hamm